Despite Dean Elgar and Van der Dussen half-centuries, England fought back strongly at the end of day 2 of the 2nd Test match played at Newlands, Cape Town on Saturday.
Starting on the overnight score of 262 for 9, England could only add 7 runs with James Anderson caught by Van der Dussen at first slips. The debutant Pieter Malan and Dean Elgar looked in positive touch putting the bad balls away for boundaries. Stuart Broad struck the opening blow getting the wicket of debutant Malan for 5. Broad then got rid of Zubayr Hamza with a stunning low catch by Ben Stokes. James Anderson made it worst for South Africa getting the wicket of Faf du Plessis to leave the hosts at 40 for 3. Van der Dussen and Dean Elgar steadied innings with positive intent. At lunch, South Africa were 60 for 3.
After the lunch break, Van der Dussen and Dean Elgar looked in good touch with their stroke play. Dussen survived a chance as he was caught off a no ball from Stuart Broad bowling. It was a solid display of batting by Elgar who reached his fifty off 79 balls. Dussen impressed with technique and was dropped by Ben Stokes at slips and fell short of Ben Stokes. At tea, South Africa were 141 for 3.
In the 3rd session, Van der Dussen reached his 2nd successive half-century off 131 balls. When things looked dangerous for England, Dom Bess provided the breakthrough getting the wicket of Dean Elgar for well made 88. Elgar and Van der Dussen added 117 runs for the 4th wicket. Quinton de Kock came to the crease and put pressure on the England bowlers with attacking stroke play. After the drinks break, Sam Curran produced a cutter which de Kock tried to loft and went into the hands of James Anderson. Curran then got rid of Van der Dussen for 68 to make the match interesting. England captain Joe Root took the 2nd new ball immediately. James Anderson dismissed Dwaine Pretorius with another good catch by Ben Stokes. At the stroke of stumps, Anderson got rid off Keshav Maharaj. South Africa ended the 2nd day on 215 for 8 and still trail by 54 runs.
South Africa 215 for 8 in 84.4 overs ( Dean Elgar 88, Van der Dussen 68, James Anderson 3/34, Stuart Broad 2/36) trail England 269 in 91.5 overs ( Ollie Pope 61*, Ben Stokes 47, Kagiso Rabada 3/68, Vernon Philander 2/46) by 54 runs.
